"Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding" (Prov. 9:6)
The Path of Understanding
Wisdom calls and folly calls.
Both call to the "simple" (Prov. 9:4,16).
Wisdom says, "Come, eat of my bread" (9:5).
Folly says, "Turn in hither...bread eaten in secret is pleasant" (9:16,17).
Understanding begins where wisdom begins. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (9:10). We enter the path of understanding when we receive the Word of God to be the Word of God, with all that that implies. Some knowledge is delightful, some is useful, but knowledge of things holy is essential to true understanding of ourselves and our environment.
This is the age of psychology with its emphasis on insights. This path of understanding of which our text speaks is a path of truest insights. It leads to genuine self-understanding. The instructed believer is not a simpleton nor a fool going blindly he knows not where. He knows his origin as a creature of God who was taken into sin by his first father. He knows his position as a redeemed child of God including the privileges of His household. And, he also knows his eternal future with its unlimited opportunities of personal growth and development. Maturation has begun.
Understanding is also social, that is, the believer grows into an understanding of others. In learning the things of God, and understanding himself in great measure, his strengths and his weaknesses, he is prepared for a realistic relationship to others. He knows them not as completely "other" but as bone of his bone. He understands them because they are so much like himself. And knowing and understanding he cares.
The path of understanding brings glory to God and good to man. "For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased" (Prov. 9:11).
(Rev. Roger J. Andrus)